AP Lit Literary Argument Rubric

Visit www.marcolearning.com for additional learning resources. © Marco Learning, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Advanced Placement® and AP® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, this product. AP® English Literature and Composition Scoring Rubric for Question 3: Literary Argument 0 POINTS 1 POINT Does not meet criteria for any of the following reasons: No defensible thesis Simple restatement of prompt only Selected work is discussed in broad generalizations Selected work not connected to the prompt Defensible interpretation of the selected work Responds to the prompt 0 POINTS 1 POINT 2 POINTS 3 POINTS 4 POINTS Simple restatement of thesis (if existing) OR Incoherent writing OR Prompt not addressed OR No textual references made EVIDENCE: Generalized evidence AND COMMENTARY: Focuses on overall plot or description of the passage rather than on specific details or techniques Literary elements and devices mentioned but not explained EVIDENCE: Some specific evidence Relevant evidence AND COMMENTARY: Some evidence tied to argument Mixes specific evidence and broad generalizations Lacks a line of reasoning and progression of ideas Simplistic, repetitive, or inaccurate explanations EVIDENCE: Sufficient and relevant evidence AND COMMENTARY: Uniformly offers evidence to support argument Words and details from passage build the interpretation Multiple claims are included Slight lapses in support of key claims EVIDENCE: Specific and relevant evidence AND COMMENTARY: Offers support for all claims Well-organized line of reasoning with multiple supporting claims and clear explanations Explains the significance of specific words and details, and connects them to the interpretation Explains writer’s literary techniques with multiple examples that are tied to the interpretation 0 POINTS 1 POINT Does not meet the criteria for any of the following reasons: Sweeping generalizations of context Ineffective use of language Oversimplifies the passage’s complexities Thematic interpretation not consistently developed Alternative interpretations missing or only hinted at Demonstrates sophisticated thinking Develops a complex literary argument Explores complexities and tensions in the selected work Places interpretation into a larger context Employs a vivid and persuasive writing style Engages in multiple interpretations of the passage SOPHISTICATION EVIDENCE & COMMENTARY THESIS ROW A ROW B ROW C TOTAL POINTS EARNED: / 6 10 or more to be verbs Not using the literary present tense Loooooong Quotes Use of First person